Working Cats Program

Women's Animal Center has an ongoing need for nontraditional homes for working cats. These cats are healthy and adoptable, but are not suitable to life as a house cat due to their lack of socialization and shyness with people; their high energy levels and spirited temperament; or their poor litter box habits. Neither are these animals fully equipped to survive on their own in outdoor colonies. As a result, these special cats are at a heightened risk of euthanasia when brought to animal shelters. Women's Animal Center's Working Cats Program is intended to help save them from this unnecessary fate.

What we provide:

• A wonderful new, low-maintenance, independent pet for your barn, stable, warehouse, brewery or other business.
• Years of free labor and services in the form of effective, environmentally-friendly rodent and pest control.
• A fully vetted, hassle-free – not to mention adorable – addition to your workplace or property. All working cats leave our shelter spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, eartipped and flea-free.
• Educational information, resources and veterinary services and discounts to help you care for your new cat.

What you provide:

• Safe, warm, dry shelter from the elements for your cat.
• Access to fresh water, and daily kibble to supplement his or her diet. (A mouse has the average caloric equivalent of about 30 calories, and an active cat would need to catch and consume 250 calories daily – or 8 mice! – to maintain a healthy weight. This is a tall task for even the most skilled predators!)
• Routine veterinary care if and when necessary.
• A brief period of containment post-adoption (2-3 weeks recommended), to allow your cat to acclimate to his or her new nontraditional home and surroundings.

While cats are independent, they can also form strong bonds with each other, and some research has shown that working cats do best when placed in pairs or groups. For this reason, multiple-cat adoptions are welcome and encouraged, but certainly not required. There is no fee to adopt a working cat from Women's Animal Center.

If you or someone you know might be interested in this program, we would love to hear from you. Please contact our Adoptions and Lifesaving Department at 215-750-3100 or adoptions@womensanimalcenter.org.